🌐 International News
On January 30, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Niger eliminated onchocerciasis (river blindness) as a public health threat, making it the first African nation to achieve this milestone.
Global achievement context:
- Historic first – Niger is the first African nation to eliminate the disease
- Global club – Joins Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico
- Regional impact – Major success for sub-Saharan Africa where the disease was widespread
- NTD progress – Considered a major success in tackling neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)
Onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, is a parasitic disease transmitted by blackflies. The WHO certifies elimination of diseases as public health threats based on specific criteria and sustained surveillance.
This marks significant progress in Africa’s public health infrastructure and disease eradication efforts.
Niger – First African nation to eliminate river blindness | WHO, Jan 30, 2025
🇮🇳 National News
The Ministry of Railways launched the ‘SwaRail’ SuperApp, integrating multiple railway services into one application. The app is currently in beta phase and available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
SuperApps combine multiple services under a single digital platform, providing users with a unified experience. This represents a significant step in India’s digital governance transformation.
This improves digital governance and passenger convenience, making railway services more accessible to millions of travelers.
SwaRail – Integrated Railway SuperApp (Beta)
India’s Ramsar sites count has increased to 89 with the addition of four new wetlands. This marks the first Ramsar recognition for Jharkhand and Sikkim.
Newly added wetlands include:
- Sites from northeastern states – Including Sikkim’s first designation
- One from Gujarat
- Udhwa Lake (Jharkhand) – Jharkhand’s maiden entry
Ramsar sites are wetlands designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an international treaty for conservation. This designation helps protect critical ecosystems and biodiversity.
This strengthens India’s wetland conservation efforts and enhances ecological protection and international environmental commitments.
India – 89 Ramsar sites | First for Jharkhand & Sikkim
A High-Level Committee (HLC) led by Home Minister Amit Shah approved ₹3,027.86 crore for disaster mitigation initiatives across India.
Committee composition:
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
- Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
- Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog
Focus areas for funding:
- Lightning safety – Protection infrastructure and awareness campaigns
- Drought mitigation – Water management and conservation projects
- Forest fire management – Prevention systems and rapid response mechanisms
Disaster mitigation aims at reducing long-term risk from natural hazards through preventive measures, infrastructure development, and community preparedness programs.
This strengthens India’s disaster preparedness framework and enhances resilience against natural calamities.
₹3,027.86 crore for disaster mitigation | HLC approval
The Sci-Fi Science Film Festival was inaugurated by Goa CM Pramod Sawant on January 30, 2025 in Panaji. The four-day event is organized by Vidnyan Parishad Goa and dedicated to Dr. M. Swaminathan.
Event details:
- Theme – “Green Revolution”
- Duration – Four-day science festival
- Dedication – Dr. M. Swaminathan (father of India’s Green Revolution)
- Focus – Promoting science and innovation among youth
Dr. M. Swaminathan is associated with India’s agricultural transformation through the Green Revolution, which dramatically increased food grain production and made India self-sufficient in food.
The festival encourages youth engagement in science and sustainability, inspiring the next generation of scientists.
Sci-Fi Festival – Panaji | Theme: Green Revolution
India will host the BRICS Youth Entrepreneurship Meet from March 3–7, 2025. The event is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports with the theme “Youth Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Growth”.
Key details:
- Participants – Around 45 youth representatives from BRICS nations
- Focus areas – Entrepreneurial framework and global market access
- Goal – Foster youth-driven economic collaboration
BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – representing major emerging economies that collaborate on economic, political, and cultural issues.
BRICS Youth Meet – March 3–7, 2025
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced its annual awards recognizing outstanding achievements in Indian cricket.
| Award Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Sachin Tendulkar |
| Polly Umrigar Award (Men, 2021–22) | Jasprit Bumrah |
| Best International Cricketer (Women) 2020–21 & 2021–22 | Smriti Mandhana |
The Polly Umrigar Award is given for the best international cricketer (men) and is one of the most prestigious awards in Indian cricket.
Sachin – Lifetime | Bumrah – Polly Umrigar | Mandhana – Best International (Women)
🔬 Science & Technology
Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams surpassed Peggy Whitson’s record for spacewalking, completing 9 spacewalks totaling 62 hours 6 minutes of EVA (Extravehicular Activity).
Mission details:
- Latest milestone – Achieved during EVA with Butch Wilmore
- Current assignment – On ISS since June 2024 due to Boeing Starliner issues
- Activities – Conducted maintenance tasks during latest EVA
- Record significance – Most spacewalking time for female astronaut
EVA stands for Extravehicular Activity – any activity performed by astronauts outside their spacecraft while in space. These missions are critical for spacecraft maintenance and scientific experiments.
This highlights achievements of Indian-origin astronauts in global space missions.
Sunita Williams – 62 hrs 6 mins spacewalk | 9 EVAs
💼 Business & Economy
The Union Budget 2025–26 outlined India’s fiscal roadmap with a total expenditure of ₹50.65 lakh crore and a fiscal deficit target of 4.4% of GDP.
Key focus sectors:
- Railways – Infrastructure modernization and network expansion
- Highways – Road connectivity and expressway development
- Defence – Military modernization and indigenization
- Rural development – Agricultural infrastructure and employment
The budget emphasizes capital investment and welfare spending with a focus on sustainable growth.
Fiscal deficit is the gap between total expenditure and total revenue (excluding borrowings). A lower fiscal deficit indicates better fiscal discipline.
Budget Outlay – ₹50.65 lakh crore | Fiscal deficit – 4.4%
The Union Budget 2025–26 introduced significant income tax relief under the new tax regime.
Tax exemption structure:
- General exemption – No income tax up to ₹12 lakh under new regime
- Salaried individuals – Exemption extends to ₹12.75 lakh due to ₹75,000 standard deduction
Standard deduction reduces taxable income for salaried taxpayers, providing relief without requiring proof of actual expenses. This ₹75,000 deduction is available only to salaried individuals.
Tax-free income: ₹12 lakh (₹12.75 lakh for salaried)
The Union Budget 2025–26 allocated ₹98,311 crore to healthcare, representing an increase from the previous allocation of ₹90,658.63 crore.
Key healthcare initiatives:
- Customs duty exemptions – For life-saving drugs to reduce treatment costs
- Medical education expansion – Increasing medical colleges and seats
- Cancer care initiatives – Specialized treatment centers and screening programs
- Healthcare connectivity – Telemedicine and rural health infrastructure
- Medical tourism focus – Positioning India as global healthcare hub
Budget allocations indicate sectoral policy priorities. Increased healthcare spending strengthens public health infrastructure, improves access to medical care, and enhances the quality of healthcare services nationwide.
Healthcare Budget – ₹98,311 crore | Increase from previous year
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